Holcomb taps former Daniels adviser Goode as chief of staff

Republican Eric Holcomb reached back to the Mitch Daniels’ administration again Monday as the governor-elect picked Earl Goode to be his chief of staff.

Goode served in the same position for Daniels for more than six years, and Holcomb said his “intellect and insights will prove valuable” as he launches his administration.

Goode said that when he finished his job with Daniels, “I never dreamed I'd work again, let alone in state government.”

But he said it’s a “unique opportunity to serve the state twice.” Holcomb worked for Goode as deputy chief of staff during the Daniels’ years.

He said Goode’s “perspective on past accomplishments will inform us as we move into the future.”

Holcomb made the announcement during a break in a meeting of his transition team, which Goode is co-chairing with Kyle Hupfer, who served as director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources under Daniels. The governor-elect said Monday that choosing a chief of staff was the “most important decision I will make.”

Goode was president for several GTE Telephone Co. affiliates in the late 1980s and 1990s. He is currently as vice chairman of the Indiana Motorsports Commission and was past chairman of the board and president of the Indianapolis Capitol Improvement Board. 

Several other members of the transition team appointed by Holcomb on Monday worked for or have connections to Daniels.